The Cliff Is Nearing

In the latest poll taken in Iraq, the number of people who say that their lives are going well are 39%, 18% feel no confidence in U.S. and coalition troops and 51% (a majority) feel that the violence against U.S. troops is acceptable. Does this sound like a country that wants our military presence within its boarders? There is little I can say about this poll because it pretty much speaks for itself. And anyone who looks at these statistics and can twist them into a rally for more troops is insane and probably somewhere in the White House right now.
In a recent quote from George W. Bush, he addressed the growing concern about Iraq and our presence there, "The terrorists could emerge from the chaos with a safe haven in Iraq to replace the one they had in Afghanistan which they used to plan the attacks of September 11, 2001."
The terrorists wouldn't be emerging from the chaos in Iraq, George, if we had stayed in Afghanistan! Even now, the president cannot see the disastrous error he made in taking this country to war with Iraq. He lead the terrorists to a new stronghold with new recruits and new reasons to hate America. This country is not a safer place now. In fact, we are more at risk of an attack because of this war. If we spent half of the money going into the war in Iraq on security at home, then we would be safer.
Even when asked if "Mr. Bush was still 'optimistic'," reported NBC's David Gregory. "he suggested that 'determined' might be a better term to use." Is this the man who this country should be following? Someone who isn't even optimistic about the war in Iraq but admitting to being rather determined? Are we to be lemmings over a fucking cliff? This is ridiculous! How can people confidently stand behind the president when he has finally even admitted to the fact that this war is being run into the ground through sheer determination. I could push on a brick wall for the rest of my life through sheer determination and that doesn't make it any more noble nor any more possible that the outcome will be anything other than going nowhere!
The time has long since passed when we must break off from the course before it leads us into an even harder hole to climb out of. If you are still in support of the president and the war in Iraq at this point, just jump off the cliff on your own and leave America out of your suicidal agenda.

The Bush Administration Has Gone Green!

Benjamin Franklin may be the only person on the face of our U.S. currency who has never been a U.S. president, but he is more powerful in his wallet-sized form than any of our presidents were in the flesh.

Walk The Talk Of Our Forefathers! (A Must Read)

Our government has become the laughing stock of democracy and yet the reason few people are laughing is because few people realize what democracy really is. The Bush Administration has proven through its hard-right politics and unjustified war in Iraq that the government has gone too far! When our very own Bill of Rights is stepped on we do nothing. How can this be? Our basic rights as free Americans are defended in the first ten amendments of the Constitution and now even they are being either limited or taken away by the government under the false pretense of "national security". I feel that no body of government--not the President, Congress, Senate nor the Supreme Court has the authority to take away our rights as Americans. The U.S. Bill of Rights is our rock as a nation that is unwavering despite the changing policies in American government. The ideals that this country was founded on are infallible; unfortunately, people are not. And so our rights as free Americans should be made intangible to change by politicians with hidden alternative loyalties. From the Patriot Act all the way to the direct and unpunished lies of the Bush Administration that led to this war, we are slowly enslaving ourselves. The current administration had and used the rights appointed to it to install the Attorney General, Supreme Court judges and others but to allow them to interpret, nay, neglect our basic rights they were sworn to protect all in the name of party loyalty, that is treason against the American ideal.
Our patriotism is being put to the test, America! Are we going to let a minority control a majority? Are we going to allow our rights to be taken away in the name of national security? It is that very national security that should be protecting our rights, not taking them away! Are we going to let this administration spread more war and violence in an already increasing rift between us and the rest of the world? If there is anything this war has taught us it is that our government has gotten too comfortable in their Washington beds with pillow cases stuffed with shreds of our Bill of Rights. As Americans we must fight for America at home as well as abroad. We must take back America from the corruption and hold high our Bill of Rights...our Constitution...and in the face of those who would tear them apart and defend them. For nearly 230 years ago, our forefathers gave their lives so that they could give these rights to the people and within two centuries later, our very own government is seeking to become that tyranny in which we fought so passionately against in the Revolution.
Will we stand up for our rights as Americans and fight to reclaim them, protect them and fight all those who oppose them? As an American I say by God we will! The first step, though, in heading in any direction is to open your eyes. The second step is to commit to that direction you have chosen. And the third step is to walk it.

The Democratic Mutation!

While most of the country was drinking green beer and passing out drunk at other people's homes, Iraq was plagued with a different kind of substance abuse. Chlorine, a chemical typically used for water purification, was used in three truck bombings that resulted in two deaths and 350 made ill including six U.S. soldiers. Also, a roadside bomb killed one U.S. soldier and injured three others. All the meanwhile Australian Prime Minister John Howard, a strong supporter of the Bush Administration said, "Great progress has been achieved, but there is still work to be done," and "As you know, I don't set speculative dates. There is nothing achieved by that."
Perhaps the problem here is that people aren't facing up to the reality that great progress is an unfamiliar term to those living in Baghdad and politicians need to stop seeing dates as speculative and more as declarative. This war is real and yet politicians continue to skew the facts and pull incoherent babble out of their asses to avoid answering or even acknowledging the serious questions. I have heard many war-hawks declare that if the Iraqi government wanted us out, we would leave. Every poll and survey of the Iraqi people I have ever read asking them this question has resulted in the majority of people wanting the U.S. presence out of Iraq. And it is a shame that the government there is as responsive to the people as our government is here.
Democracy has become an ideal not a reality across the board. The people, it seems, had the power but once elected, those officials put into effect their own agendas and this applies everywhere. Corruption has seeped its way into the very foundation of American democracy and is spreading throughout the world like a virus. Wherever we infest our corrupt version of democracy, problems arise. This current administration is a mutation of democracy and it must be stopped before the damage becomes fatal to the ideals that once made this country so great.

Democracy Is A Participation Kind Of Thing

Today I was part of an anti-war protest. The very same protest that inspired me to create this blog. It was certainly an interesting experience. There was a lot of positive vibes and the turnout was great but as we stood on the side of the road, I couldn't help hear some derogatory comments being shouted. None of them were creative and I was not impressed by the maturity nor intelligence of those shouting the pro-war slander. The term "fucking hippies" caught my attention a few times. I suppose it's better than being a brain-washed neo-nazi. And then at the end when I was walking toward my car, a girl shouted something vague about someone killing me for protesting. Well, if that is a pro-war extremist I don't know why we don't have more of them? Kind words from kind people.
I would venture to guess that 85% of the cars honked and supported us, 10% just drove by and 5% shouted things that didn't do their pro-war cause any justice. I would say those are pretty good odds in our favor. It inspired me, though, that some people took so much energy to try and put us down because it showed that ideas are more powerful than guns. Anyone can fire one. It's usually the aiming that is controversial. Honestly, I had a great time at the protest and wish that more people take part in their country's affairs. Though I may have been standing on the side of the road, at least I can say that I stood for something! Whether you support the war or denounce it, get involved peacefully and be a voice of the people to the people. That is what this country is all about and that is what true patriotism is. Class dismissed.

Make The Choice!

With tensions growing in Sadr City, the U.S. may be in for quite a setback in the security crackdown they have been taking credit for in the past weeks. The crackdown that has been hailed by the Bush Administration as a major step in a victorious direction is mostly the responsibility of al-Sadr. After all, it was he who told his militia to not fight the U.S. troops when they entered the city and he has kept the violence at bay. Meanwhile, Bush claims that the crackdown is the work of our troops on the ground when in reality they are getting comfortable in what could be a trap if the U.S. does not pull out soon.
Patience is thinning out in Sadr City streets as al-Sadr issued a statement yesterday to a large crowd of supporters, "Raise your voices in love and brotherhood and unity against your enemy and shout 'No, no America." This is the sound of a group of people who have tried everything to expel us from their country and are now finding that a peaceful resistance is not working. This news comes after two truck bombs with chlorine tanks killed eight people and injured 85. I am not saying that al-Sadr is good or bad. I am just saying that as a firm leader in the Shiite community, he has a pivotal role to play in the rebuilding of Iraq and it is up to Iraqis if they wish to follow him. All of the violence he has brought has been in an effort to expel U.S. troops from Iraq so how do we know he is truly a bad man. He could simply be patriotic. But what would the Bush Administration know about patriotism when they abuse their rights as a government in more ways than I can fit in this post to send our soldiers to fight in a war that had nothing to do with freedom in the first place.
There are plenty of countries around the world with dictators as their leaders and millions of people are oppressed elsewhere. But did we help them? No! We went after the country with no ties to al-Qaeda, no weapons of mass destruction and made no threats to the United States. Why don't people realize this? It is because people don't care. Well, you better start caring because the decisions we make today will have repercussions that will be remembered for generations.
War is already an ugly thing but this war is a vile disregard for the responsibilities given to a powerful nation. When will Americans stand up to this tyranny? When will Americans say, 'This is enough!'? When will we take back our rights that this administration has tried so desperately to deprive us of? NOW! Now is the time to stand up for what is truly right. Break away from what the politicians tell you. They will always have their hidden agendas. Research and think for yourself and when you see the truth behind what is happening to this country you will see that the problems we face are not just overseas in Iraq but within our own boarders as well! While the government distracts us with a war on the other side of the globe, we ignore the carpet being pulled from right below our feet. Making the choice to be a patriot means preserving the Constitution and all that America stands for and not allowing someone behind a veil of stars and stripes to kill everything that makes this country great!

Irony seems to be the new ingredient added to today's newspapers. In one headline it reads, "Bomb kills 4 soldiers" and directly beneath it is another headline reading "U.S.: Crackdown working". I don't know if the U.S. government is reading the same paper the rest of the world is? Yesterday, four U.S. soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb and at least fourteen people were killed in a car bombing elsewhere in Baghdad. Meanwhile, Major General Joseph Fil Jr. told reporters, "There's a sense of suspicion in the air. A sense of anticipation and expectation (of decreased violence) with the Iraqi people,". I don't know about you but the first sentence doesn't really match the second one. If there is suspicion in the air, I doubt it is because Iraqis are anticipating a "decrease" in violence. Fil Jr. must have also been in charge of the placement of the two headlines above.
Also, in a predominantly Sunni region of the world, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has proven himself to be a valuable ally in stablizing peace in Iraq. Previously, the Bush Administration felt that he would be irrelevant and even detrimental to peace in Iraq. Oops, I guess they were wrong (again). It seems now that not only does Sadr have firm control over many of the Shiites in Baghdad including his Mahdi Army, but he has the ability to wage peace as well as war. When U.S. troops went into Sadr City they met no resistence and Sadr has become a vital player in installing peace in Iraq. Let's just see if Bush will "stay the course" or reevaluate his diplomatic relations with those willing to work for peace.
Regardless of Sadr's willingness to wage peace, many of his loyal Shiites still dissaprove of the U.S. presence in Iraq. "They are an occupation force. We refuse their presence totally." said Mohammad Abu Haider--a Mahdi Army commander. (This was a quote from msn.com.)
It would be nice if we could only send peacefull diplomatic advisors to Iraq to help rebuild peace in the region but we all know even they would have their own hidden agendas slipped into their pockets by the Bush Administration.
It is really sad that Bush took all of the patriotism and national pride built up post-9/11 and used it to his twisted advantage. Young Americans signed up for the armed services all over the country to fight for America in its time of need and how does Bush use them? He sends them to Iraq to be killed fighting for oil and profit. Bush has clearly shown utter disregard for the U.S. Constitution, American patriotism, foreign relations and human life. The next time he or Cheney want to make a speech to the American people perhaps they would be more careful about what they said if they spoke in a Baghdad marketplace at noon.